Tag Archives: Ryan Booth

De Warenmarkt in Stellenbosch serendipitous connection of like-minded owners and patrons!

imageYesterday a planned pop-in at De Warenmarkt in Stellenbosch became a three-hour visit of chatting and eating with a number of persons also having lunch, and meeting one of the co-owners, who shared the story of the establishment with me.

I had thought that De Warenmarkt had opened while I was overseas, but it has only been operating for a week. Having seen Errieda du Toit’s photographs on her Facebook page, I decided to drive back from Franschhoek via Stellenbosch yesterday, so that I could pop-in at De Warenmarkt, which operates from the building previously housing the Continue reading →

Café Chic reopens with slick service, excellent cuisine, hands-on but controversial Chef Conrad Gallagher!

Cafe Chic exterior Whale CottageCafé Chic opened in Gardens in 1999, a Victorian building with a chic interior created by French owner Francoise Queyroi.  A year ago the restaurant was closed and placed on the market, but has not yet found a buyer. It was a surprise that Chef Conrad Gallagher has taken over the building, renting it lock, stock and barrel, including its cutlery (by Helcometals from Egypt/France), crockery, glassware, table cloths, and serviettes, with a view to buying it in future.  Given Chef Conrad’s reputation related to a Cafe Chic Conrad Gallagher Whale Cottageprevious era of owning restaurants in Cape Town, it is brave of him to return!

Chef Conrad had opened Geisha in 2007 in the building alongside Newport Deli in Mouille Point, spending R3,5 million on its interior, when he received an eviction order, being informed that the building was to be demolished, to make way for a new building.  He moved to the Cape Royale Continue reading →